🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Expert Profile
Zhu Jinlong
Born in 1965, from Qingyang, Gansu Province. Founder of Beijing Baijuntang TCM Health Preservation Research Institute. Dedicated over a decade to studying TCM health preservation theory.
Health Philosophy: Like managing career and family, health requires cultivation. We’re not beautiful because we’re healthy—we’re healthy because we’re beautiful.
- Personal Secrets
One weekly fast-day for intestinal cleansing
Once a week, fasting for a day benefits the body. On the previous day, eat low-quality foods like vegetables to stretch the stomach. On the fasting day, consume nothing or just a little fruit—this boosts gastric motility, aiding detoxification and bowel cleansing.
One weekly intense workout
Supplement daily exercise with one moderate-to-intense session weekly for sweat-based detoxification. However, excessive intense workouts risk qi deficiency.
Zhu believes TCM health preservation is a systematic process—though profound, it should be simplified. He combines emotional, dietary, exercise, and sleep health for holistic wellness.
Fast Walking During Commute
For exercise, Zhu sees no fixed routine. Watching TV, commuting, or working breaks offer opportunities. When watching TV, stand and jump rope. Walk extra stops during commute. When tired, press nose against wall and squat up and down.
“The body needs motion—but not random motion. Gentle, regular, sustained aerobic exercise lasting 30–50 minutes is ideal—too short ineffective, too long harmful.” Zhu teaches that even walking has technique: others emphasize heel-first steps, he advocates “big strides.” From Huatang Mall in Shiliupu to Dongdaqiao, people often see Zhu striding swiftly—covering over 7km in just 40 minutes. He says fast walking is aerobic exercise—an enjoyment and true health practice.
Avoid Tea Before and After Meals
“After work, forget everything else—eat on schedule” is Zhu’s second rule besides exercise. “Eat slowly and chew thoroughly—it’s easy but often overlooked.” He discourages drinking tea or beverages before or after meals. “The finest elixir is right in your mouth”—saliva mixes with food, breaking it down via enzymes into easily digestible substances. Drinking tea or soda before/with meals dilutes gastric juices, hindering nutrient absorption and causing malnutrition. Correct method: avoid liquids (including soup and drinks) for half an hour before and after meals to maintain optimal digestive fluid concentration.
- Expert Dialogue
Work seriously, live carefree
Reporter: Living standards have improved, yet many feel increasingly exhausted. What’s your view?
Zhu: Previously, physical fatigue without mental strain. Now, mental fatigue dominates. Causes include career pressure, family stress, job insecurity, and unfulfilled ambitions. Ancient wisdom says “health starts with mind management”—learn self-regulation. My philosophy: Work seriously, live carefree.
Reporter: What defines health in your eyes?
Zhu: Good sleep, good appetite, smooth bowel movements, abundant energy. From TCM perspective: “four畅通 and one balance”—blood flow, qi flow, meridian flow, food passage, and organ balance.
Reporter: What’s the core of your TCM health philosophy?
Zhu: Balance. TCM emphasizes three balances: mental equilibrium, harmony with nature, and organ balance. Balance heals all diseases; imbalance breeds illness.
The five fundamental elements—metal, wood, water, fire, earth—must balance for favorable weather and flourishing life. The human body is a microcosm: heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney functions must remain relatively balanced. Imbalance triggers disease.
TCM health preservation isn’t forced—it follows natural laws, not a downpour, but gentle rain.
- Spring Health Advice
Warmth is crucial
Early spring brings unpredictable warmth and cold. Many women already wear skirts. But spring warmth is vital. Cold legs affect the spleen and stomach, leading to poor blood circulation, causing dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, etc. When heating stops during seasonal transitions, pay attention at night. Too thin a blanket draws yang energy from the body to resist cold. Too thick a blanket causes overheating, leaving legs exposed—allowing cold to enter, disrupting food passage, impairing digestion, increasing risk of gastrointestinal issues.
Consume Yang Foods
Reduce cold foods. Internal cold generates heat, weak spleen yang leads to kidney qi deficiency and blood deficiency. Some have damp-cold constitution—need to strengthen the spleen, enrich vital energy. Eat warming foods like hot pot.
Choose Appropriate Exercise Timing
Spring exercise benefits the body. For middle-aged and elderly: best between 9–10 AM—peak yang time. For youth: 3–5 PM—yang in yin phase—helps regulate meridians.